I would like to respond to the letter titled Let's all leave our cars at home and watch public transport creak from Walter Brooks, of Bury, published in the letters page on Thursday, July 5.

Mr Brooks says: "Let us take action on a day and leave our cars behind for those public transport journeys that we could make and let the system know how much it will creak."

I agree with Mr Brooks, in that at its current capacity, Greater Manchester's public transport infrastructure would struggle to cope if everybody used it at once.

If we were to do nothing for public transport this scenario would be even worse in a few years' time.

The money that would be made available should a potential Transport Innovation Fund bid be successful, would significantly improve public transport, offer a reliable alternative to the car and encourage people to think about why and when they use their cars and when to use the improved public transport available to them.

With regards to Mr Brooks' question: "Which will come first, the proposed charges or the proposed investments?"

I would like to assure Mr Brooks that an improved public transport system is one of the key requirements set out by the AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) before any charging system is implemented.

This would mean further improving Metrolink, more capacity on train and at stations, better buses, dedicated yellow school buses for children and a fully integrated public transport system, including many new transport interchanges, across the region.

Mr Brooks also asked: "Will the discount scheme result in cheaper car travel for some as has happened in London?"

We have already said that a discount scheme for certain groups and vehicle types is being developed.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve public transport, reduce journey times, maintain economic growth and contribute to a better environment.

I would commend it to Mr Brooks.

CLLR ROGER JONES Chairman of the GMPTA